Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) also known as "zombie deer" disease is a growing concern among environmentalists and public health authorities both in the United States and abroad. Recently, U.S. scientists reported that they have identified the disease in humans as well. Two cases were described in the scientific journal Neurology.
The first victim was a 72-year-old hunter who had been eating reindeer meat all his life. At some point, the elderly man became very aggressive and showed signs of dementia. Similar symptoms appeared in his acquaintance, also a hunter. Scientists suggest that they could have been infected with the disease "zombie deer". The hunters died a month after the alleged infection.
CWD is a deadly prion disease that was first discovered in Colorado in 1967. It commonly affects deer and elk. The disease causes severe neurological disorders including weight loss, behavioral changes, and lack of fear of humans. Scientists have found that the disease can be transmitted between different species of animals, including monkeys and mice.
CWD is transmitted through contact with contaminated body fluids and tissues, as well as through the environment, where prions can remain active for long periods. The pathogen is resistant to radiation and high temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius. Disinfectants, even formaldehyde, do not work against prions.
The highest number of CWD infections have been reported in the US states of Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Strict hunting regulations have been introduced there to prevent the spread of the disease.
The recent news about the "zombie deer" disease is alarming. The situation is reminiscent of the early days of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when we were just beginning to realize the magnitude of the threat. At this point, there is no cure for CWD, and the prion that causes the disease is resistant to just about everything we have in our arsenal. This begs the question: are we not on the cusp of a new global crisis?
